Calls Grow Louder for McAllister to Quit in Kissing Controversy

Calls for the resignation of Republican Rep. Vance McAllister grew louder Wednesday as the shamed lawmaker ditched Washington to huddle with his wife and family in advance of a two-week recess on Capitol Hill, reports said.

Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, has been trying without luck to reach McAllister, a U.S. House member from his state, since Tuesday night to ask for his resignation, The Hill reports.

"This is another embarrassment to Louisiana," state Rep. Robert Johnson told the newspaper. "I think he needs to resign, and I don't think he can be effective."

The demands come in the wake of a video that shows the father of five passionately kissing a female staffer.

He apologized for his behavior but said he had no plans to step down – a statement his chief of staff, Adam Terry, reiterated Wednesday, The Hill reports.

"He’s got a job to do, one he was elected to do, and he plans to continue to do that," Terry told The Hill, adding that the lawmaker's immediate plans involve “taking some time to be with his wife” at home.

Terry said there's been no talk of his reelection plans anyway.

"We're not even focused on reelection right now," Terry said. "Family is his number-one priority."

The Louisiana Republican highlighted his conservative Christian values when he campaigned for office, and allies at home were shaken by the scandal.

Clyde Holloway, a public utilities regulator who endorsed McAllister's congressional bid, told the Times-Picayune the lawmaker's misbehavior "is personally disappointing to me, given that Vance made faith the centerpiece of his platform."

"There is always a danger, when one consistently references his or her faith during a campaign . . . and then regrettable circumstances like these develop and are brought to light," he said.

Calls for the resignation of Republican Rep. Vance McAllister grew louder Wednesday as the shamed lawmaker ditched Washington to huddle with his wife and family in advance of a two-week recess on Capitol Hill, reports said.